Spring-jaw animal-trap.



Patented Fab. l9, l90l.

N B A. v E I- H L SPRING JAW ANIMAL TRAP.

(Application filed Kay 22, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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UNHED STATES EPATENT nntcn.

LEWIS H. LEVARN, OF VERGENNES, VERMONT.

SPRlNG-JAW ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 668,527, dated February 19, 1901.

Application filed May 22, 1900.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEWIS H. LEVARN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vergennes, in the county of Addison and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Jaw Animal- Traps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in spring-jaw animal-traps, and has for its main object a trap which will be locked in open position automatically upon the mere pressure of the spring by the user.

The general construct-ion of this trap is that of those old in the art; but certain objects to be attained therein relate to details of the construction to be hereinafter particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claims. One of such objects relates to the provision of a spring of peculiar style whereby strength and durability are added to the trap. Another object relates to the provision of confining strips or plates to the sides of the biting-jaws and adapted to prevent a caught animal from working or gnawing himself loose, and a still further object relates to the provision of means on one of the jaws adapted when in open or set position to engage a catch, and thereby automatically lock the jaws in such set position.

A construction embodying the improvements of the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, and in hereinafter referring to the same like letters of reference will refer to corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete trap. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the trap open. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the action of the locking-lever.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, A and B, respectively, designate the two members of the trap common in this style of trap, the same being pivoted together at B. The member B is provided with the jaws O and D, pivoted at c d and adapted to be locked Serial No. 17,517. (No models in closed position by the steel spring E, having a loop end 6, adapted to engage and slide upon the extended portions or loops 6 on the jaws. This spring E is formed of a continuous strip of steel wound into a coil 6 at its outer end and provided with an ofifset portion 6 adapted to project through and be retained in place by a struck-up portion a, of the member A. To the outside of the respective jaws are provided what I will term confining strips or plates F, which are supported in proximity to the biting edges of the jaws and are designed to prevent an animal when once caught from working itself loose or gnawing or otherwise injuring a caught leg or the like. One of these plates is provided with a flange or projection f, for a purpose to be described. Located directly beneath the jaws is a tripper-plate G of ordinary construction, which is pivoted to a stub g, projecting from the supporting-arm b, ex-

tending to the side of the member B. At a slight distance from the stub g is a second stub g, in which is pivoted the catch H, designed to engage over the jaw nearest thereto when in open position to look a trap set. This catch has an extension h projecting toward the stud g and is in turn pivoted to a corresponding projection h on the shank of the tripper-plate. It will thus be seen that an operation of the catch will transmit a continuous motion through its projection to the tripper-plate, or vice versa. The pivoted extensions on the catch and tripper-plate when the jaws are opened are engaged and pressed downwardly by the flange f on the confiningplate F, and, as will be readily apparent, the catch H will be thereby forced over the edge of the jaw and lock the same in open or set position. All that is necessary on the part of the user, therefore, is to depress the spring E and the jaws will fall by gravity into open position and operate the catch automatically.

To the under side of the member B is secured a chain provided at its end with a spike the jaws in open position, means for releasing said holding means, and a spring for closingsaid jaws comprising'astrip of steel looped at one end to engage the jaws, a projection or offset portion 6 at the opposite end adapted to engage the portion a to retain the same in position on the trap, and a coil intermediate said ends, substantially as described.

2. In a trap, the combination with pivoted jaws, of means for closing said jaws, and means for locking said jaws in open or set position comprising a presser-plate, a catch in operative connection therewith, and means on one of the jaws adapted to operate at a point intermediate the presser-plate and catch to throw the same into set position, substantially as described.

3. In a trap, the combination with pivoted jaws, of means for closing the same, and means for retaining the jaws in open or set position, comprising a tripper-plate, a catch provided with an extension pivoted to the tripper-plate, and means on one of the jaws adapted to engage the extension on the tripper-plate and adapted to throw the catch into engagement with the jaw to lock the same in open or set position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS H. LEVARN.

Witnesses:

H. B. SLACK, J. A. HARRINGTON. 

